Stress and resilience among women living with HIV in Nigeria

BACKGROUND: Psychological morbidities concurrent with HIV have been the focus of considerable scientific investigations. However, researchers have largely overlooked HIV-related stress and resilience among women living with HIV in rural communities. AIM: This study explored the associations between psychological resilience and HIV-related stress among women living with HIV. SETTING: The study was conducted in three randomly selected hospitals that provide primary HIV care in Niger state, Nigeria. METHODS: A predictive cross-sectional design was used to describe the relationship between perceived stress and resilience among the study population. RESULTS: Out of 748 participants who completed the Connor–Davidson resilience scale and the perceived stress scale questionnaires, 676 returned the questionnaire in usable form. While the results showed moderate levels of perceived stress and a high level of psychological resilience, there was a significant and negative relationship between HIV-related stress and psychological resilience (r = -0.601, p = < 0.001). Also, higher resilience was significantly associated with decreased perceived stress. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that measures to promote resilience and employment opportunity may ameliorate HIV-related stress among women living with HIV.